Munster to review football disparity

Munster Council chairman Robert Frost has revealed that the provincial senior football championship will be reviewed following a worrying sequence of results this summer.

Limerick received an 18-point mauling against Cork in the quarter-finals before Kerry whipped Tipperary and Waterford by 17 and 26 points respectively. Now, the big worry for Frost’s native Clare is that they will suffer a similar fate when Cork arrive at Cusack Park, Ennis, for a semi-final clash on Sunday week, June 16.

A massive gulf in class exists between Division 1 sides Kerry and Cork and the rest. Limerick, Clare, Tipperary and Waterford all operated in Division 4 of the Allianz National Football League this year — with Limerick gaining promotion. Frost confirmed the provincial championship will be discussed after it is completed and it is understood plans are in place to pit Clare, Waterford, Limerick and Tipperary against each other — with two teams emerging from a preliminary format to face the big two.

A number of options are explored as Munster Council top brass have the option of drawing two quarter-finals from the weaker four, or a round-robin series to determine a top two.

Frost explained: “Look at the four teams who were playing Division 4 football this year. With the best will in the world, it’s a big mountain to climb. We’re exploring options and we’ll have a full discussion at a Council meeting when the championship is over.”

Frost also admitted “concern” after just 12,103 spectators were present at Semple Stadium for last Sunday’s provincial senior hurling quarter-final between Clare and Waterford, down 193 on last year’s championship meeting between the two counties. He said: “We thought we might get 15,000 on Sunday. Maybe people were away on holidays but it would concern you.”

Frost is hoping for a 20,000 crowd when Limerick meet Tipperary at the Gaelic Grounds in Sunday’s Munster semi-final. And he’s anticipating up to 25,000 spectators when Cork meet Clare in the other semi-final on June 23. “We have budgeted for 20,000 next Sunday and we hope to get 20 to 25,000 for Cork-Clare in Limerick.”